On September 14, 2010, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, met with Patriarch Abuna Paul of Ethiopia. In a warm and friendly atmosphere they discussed topical problems of inter-Christian cooperation and made a high assessment of the relations that used to tie the two Churches in the past.

The head of the Church of Ethiopia informed his high guest about his Church’s status in the society and present day tasks and challenges.

On behalf of the Supreme Authority of the Russian Church, the DECR chairman conveyed to Patriarch Abuna Paul an invitation to send students to the Russian Orthodox Church’s theological schools for training. In his response, the Patriarch of Ethiopia noted that he had long dreamt of reviving this practice and expressed confidence that Ethiopian students would be able to begin studying Orthodox theology in Russia in the nearest future.

In conclusion of the meeting, Metropolitan Hilarion presented Patriarch Abuna Paul with a pectoral icon with an inscription.

Participating in the meeting were also Rev. Alexander Vasiutin, a DECR staff member, Hierodeacon Ioann (Kopeikin), assistant to the DECR chairman, and Mr. L. Sevastyanov, executive director of the St. Gregory the Theologian Charity.